Quote:
Originally Posted by valo403
How are people still under the impression that the Balsille issue is about ego? The guy tried to sue his way into the league, has shown no interest in anything but his own well being, and has just generally made it quite clear that he does not play well with others. Why would anyone want to accept a guy like that into the fold?
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Not only that, but his way of trying to get the Coyotes would have destroyed any semblance of control over team locations. Basically, if Balsillie won, the Flames could pull up and move anywhere they want tomorrow. No notice, no vote.
And this was after he started selling season tickets in Hamilton for a Nashville franchise he didn't yet own.
Balsillie would have been entertaining, but he was bad news for the league - not Bettman, the league. And for those wondering why Bettman hasn't been fired over this, it is because he, Daly, and a battalion of lawyers beat back a threat that was considered so significant the other big four leagues got involved.
People allow their hatred of Bettman and Balsillie's slick sales pitch to overrule logic. As much as I would have loved to have seen Balsillie on the Leafs doorstep, the cost to the league was too high.